2008

Historians will remember the campaign of 2008 like no other. There were exit polls, voting parties, ballot stuffers and a record number of ballots cast. And who could forget the Super Delegates – seemingly ordinary people who used their influence to voice support for one candidate or the other.

But what made the 2008 election so exceptional were the candidates. Wait, did you think we were talking about the presidential bout between Obama and McCain? Nope. We're referring to the winners of Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta 2008 Raging Election!

Inside, you'll find more than 300 Readers' Picks, as well as the Critics' Picks and blurbs that we drummed up in the smoke-filled rooms at CL's party headquarters.

In this online edition, you'll find even more background information on this all-important election, including fun-filled facts about the CL voting body, more Critics' Picks, and photos of award winners from members of CL's Flickr group.

Many of our staff members deserve credit for pulling off this exercise in democracy while avoiding hanging chads and voting-machine malfunctions. Copy Editor Russell McLendon thought up the theme, and Food Editor Besha Rodell came up with the idea of exit polls that border on the ridiculous – just like the real ones!

Staff Photographer Joeff Davis worked so hard, his equipment took more hits than Bristol Palin's MySpace page. He ventured into the belly of the beasts – the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. – to get the shots that grace our section fronts and both covers.

Senior Art Director John Yardley and Art Director Jeremy Fuerst got creative with the star-spangled, red, white and blue look; our sales staff stumped for contributions; and CL's writers, editors and interns were all essential cogs in our political apparatus.

Most of all, though, the system relies on you, the voter. You made democracy work for Best of Atlanta 2008. Now, reap the spoils!